Susceptors capable of balancing stress and effectiveness

ABSTRACT

An outer portion of one or more layers of microwave interactive material, which is for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy, is arranged in a manner that seeks to advantageously control heating, so that the outer portion of the microwave interactive material can safely be adjacent the periphery of a turntable tray. The turntable tray can be heated by the microwave interactive material so that a peak thermally induced stress occurs in the turntable tray at a position proximate the periphery of the tray. The layer(s) of microwave interactive material are configured in a manner so that the peak thermally induced stress is less than a predetermined amount.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/286,724, filed Nov. 1, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/321,114, filed Jan. 14, 2009, which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/454,273, filed Jun.16, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/691,885, filed Jun. 17, 2005; and the disclosures of all of theabove-referenced application are incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to microwave energy interactivematerials (“microwave interactive materials”) and, more specifically, tothe shape of susceptors.

Microwave ovens are frequently used to heat food. As a result, thenumber of food items and constructs (e.g., packages) available for usewith a microwave oven is increasing. It is well known for such aconstruct to include a layer of microwave energy interactive material(“microwave interactive material”) that is for interacting withmicrowave energy in a manner that reduces, enhances or otherwise altersthe effectiveness of a microwave oven. There are several types ofmicrowave interactive materials that have been used, including, but notlimited to, susceptors and shields. Susceptors predominantly absorbmicrowave energy and thereby become hot, so that susceptors can be usedto heat, brown and/or crisp at least a portion of an adjacent food item,such as through radiant heat transfer. In contrast, shieldspredominantly reflect microwave energy, so that shields can be used todirect microwave energy away from a portion of an associated food itemto thereby restrict heating.

Shields are typically made of aluminum foil that is relatively thick ascompared to the layer of microwave interactive material of a susceptor;therefore, shields typically have greater electrical conductivity thansusceptors. As a result of the relatively high electrical conductivity,electrical arcing can occur at any pointed corners of a shield that isbeing exposed to microwave energy. In order to avoid this problem, it iscommon for shields to include rounded corners. In contrast, because ofthe relatively low electrical conductivity of susceptors, arcingtypically does not occur at pointed corners of susceptors used inmicrowave ovens. Therefore, susceptors typically have pointed corners.

A typical susceptor includes a layer of microwave interactive material(e.g., a metal) secured to or supported on a support layer (e.g., paperor a polymeric film). A construct (e.g., a tray with an uprightperipheral rim, flat tray, sleeve, wrap, carton or bag, such as forpopping popcorn) that is for supporting food being cooked in a microwaveoven often includes a bottom that includes a susceptor.

In an effort to promote uniform cooking, some microwave ovens include aturntable that has a rotatable disk-shaped tray (i.e., a tray that is atleast generally round). A construct is typically upon the rotatingdisk-shaped tray during cooking, so that the lower surface of theconstruct's bottom is in opposing face-to-face contact with the uppersurface of the turntable tray. The upper surface of the construct'sbottom typically can include a susceptor, so that the susceptor isadjacent the food carried by (e.g., contained by) the construct. Thesusceptor absorbs microwave energy and becomes hot, such as for heating,browning, and/or crisping the food adjacent thereto. Depending upon theinsulating characteristics of the construct's bottom, some of the heatprovided by the hot susceptor may be transferred to the turntable tray.In particular, corners of the susceptor may be proximate the peripheryof the turntable tray, and heat transferred from those corners of thesusceptor to the turntable tray can lead to damaging thermally inducedstress in the turntable tray, namely proximate the periphery of theturntable tray. This stress can result, for example, in the breaking ofthe turntable tray, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a bottom panel 20 of a prior artpackage that is upon a turntable tray 22. All of the turntable trays 22referred to in this specification are conventional, made of glass (e.g.,Pyrex brand glass), ceramic or the like, and are for use in a microwaveoven (not shown). The lower surface of the bottom panel 20 is inopposing face-to-face contact with the upper surface of the turntabletray 22. The entirety of the upper surface of the bottom panel 20 iscovered with a continuous layer of microwave interactive material. Thecontinuous layer of microwave interactive material is schematicallyrepresented by stippling in FIG. 1. The microwave interactive materialis operative for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy. Theenhanced heating rate of the microwave interactive material causes thecenter of the turntable tray 22 (i.e., those portions of the turntabletray that are covered by the bottom panel 20 and, therefore, themicrowave interactive material) to heat faster than the outer areas ofthe turntable tray (i.e., those portions of the turntable tray that arenot covered by the bottom panel 20). Accordingly, the turntable tray 22can be characterized as having a hot center that is being constrained bya relatively cooler perimeter, so that the center of the turntable tray22 is in compression and the perimeter of the turntable tray 22 is intension.

The bottom panel 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 is also schematicallyillustrative of a susceptor (e.g., a susceptor patch) in isolation, withthe support layer of the susceptor (support layers of susceptors arediscussed in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 3C)corresponding in shape and size to the bottom panel, and the supportlayer being entirely covered with a continuous layer of microwaveinteractive material. The dashed lines in FIG. 1 designate a quadrant ofthe susceptor/bottom panel 20.

FIGS. 2A-G are schematic illustrations that respectively showtheoretical thermally induced stress in turntable trays 22 a-g ofdifferent sizes. Each of these figures schematically shows the locationof a quadrant of the susceptor 20 (FIG. 1) upon a quadrant of therespective turntable tray 22 a-g, and the susceptor is centered on thetrays. The relatively dark, perpendicular lines in FIGS. 2A-G representthe periphery of the quadrant of the susceptor 20. The contrastingcrosshatching in FIGS. 2A-G is illustrative of theoretical thermallyinduced stress in the turntable trays 22 a-g. Each of these figuresincludes a legend for providing an understanding of how the contrastingcrosshatching is illustrative of the stress. The illustrated thermallyinduced stress is the result of the susceptor 20 being upon theturntable trays 22 a-g, and the microwave interactive material of thesusceptor 20 absorbing microwave energy and thereby becoming hot andheating the turntable trays 22 a-g.

As apparent from FIGS. 2A-G, with the susceptor 20 centered, therelatively large diameter turntable trays have a peak thermally inducedstress that is located inwardly from the perimeters of the turntabletrays; and in contrast, the relatively small diameter turntable trayshave a peak thermally induced stress that is located at, or proximate,the perimeters of the turntable trays.

It is been suggested that some consumers have a habit of placingrelatively small packages with susceptors off-center on relatively largeturntable trays in microwave ovens, because they believe that thisarrangement enhances cooking. Even a relatively small susceptor that issufficiently off-center on a relatively large turntable tray can causethe peak thermally induced stress to be disadvantageously located at, orproximate, the perimeter of the turntable tray.

It can be disadvantageous to have peak thermally induced stress that islocated at, or proximate, the perimeters of turntable trays. Forexample, fractures and cracks tend to initiate at the edges of turntabletrays because stress-enhancing defects, such as chips, are common at theedges of turntable trays. Bringing stress-enhancing defects and the peakthermally induced stresses together increases the possibility offracturing turntable trays made of glass, and the like.

Accordingly, it is desirable for susceptors to function in a manner thatseeks to keep peek thermally induced stress away from the perimeters ofthe turntable trays. At the same time, it is desirable to optimize theheating effectiveness of susceptors. Therefore, it is desirable toprovide susceptors and other constructs that provide a new balance ofproperties.

SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an exemplary method of the present invention, atleast one layer of microwave interactive material, which is for becominghot when exposed to microwave energy, is upon a turntable tray in amicrowave oven. The microwave interactive material is exposed tomicrowave energy, so that the turntable tray is heated by the microwaveinteractive material.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the layer(s) ofmicrowave interactive material are configured in a manner that seeks torestrict heating of the periphery of the turntable tray by the microwaveinteractive material.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the turntable tray isheated by the microwave interactive material so that a peak thermallyinduced stress occurs in the turntable tray at a position proximate theperiphery of the tray. In accordance with this aspect, the layer(s) ofmicrowave interactive material are configured in a manner so that thepeak thermally induced stress is less than a predetermined amount (e.g.,less than the tensile strength of the turntable tray).

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, theperiphery of the layer of microwave interactive material is absent ofacute corners (e.g., absent of a corner formed by edges that meet at anangle of 90 degrees or less). In contrast, the corners of the layer ofmicrowave interactive material can be beveled (e.g. rounded, truncated,or the like) so that they seek to limit the peak thermally inducedstress in the turntable tray.

The at least one layer of microwave interactive material can includefirst and second layers of microwave interactive material. For example,the first layer can be substantially continuous, whereas the secondlayer can be discontinuous (e.g., patterned), with the second layerbeing adjacent and extending outwardly from the periphery of at least aportion of the first layer. Per unit area, the second layer absorbs lessmicrowave energy, and thereby becomes less hot, as compared to the firstlayer. This arrangement seeks to limit the peak thermally induced stressin the turntable tray.

In accordance with a first example of the present invention, a construct(e.g., a susceptor, or a bottom panel of a construct such as a tray,box, a bag for popping popcorn, or the like) is provided for overlying asurface in a microwave oven while supporting food being cooked in themicrowave oven. The construct can include at least one layer ofmicrowave interactive material mounted to a support layer. The layer ofmicrowave interactive material is operative for becoming hot whenexposed to microwave energy. The support layer can be at least generallypolygonal-shaped, so that it includes a plurality of edges and aplurality of corners. The layer of microwave interactive material canextend at least substantially all the way to at least one of the edgesof the support layer, and typically it extends substantially all the wayto two, three or four of the edges of the support layer. The peripheryof the layer of microwave interactive material typically is at leastpartially recessed from at least a portion of one or more of, ortypically all of, the corners of the support layer, so that at leastsome of the corner(s) are not covered by the layer of microwaveinteractive material. Having the periphery of the layer of microwaveinteractive material recessed from corner(s) advantageously seeks tocontrol thermally induced stress, such as in turntable trays inmicrowave ovens.

In accordance with one version of the first example, the layer ofmicrowave interactive material can be a first layer of microwaveinteractive material (e.g., a relatively continuous layer of microwaveinteractive material). In addition, a second layer of microwave material(e.g., a patterned layer of microwave interactive material that is lessabsorbent of microwave energy than the first layer of microwaveinteractive material) at least partially covers portion(s) of, andtypically substantially fully covers, the corners of the support layerthat are not covered by the first layer of microwave interactivematerial. Having the second layer of microwave interactive materialadvantageously seeks to enhance the heating, whereas having the secondlayer of microwave material be less absorbent of microwave energy thanthe first layer of microwave interactive material advantageously seeksto control the heating in a manner that controls thermally inducedstress, such as in turntable trays in microwave ovens. Typically thefirst and second layers of microwave interactive material are notsuperposed with respect to one another, although other arrangements arealso within the scope of the present invention.

More specifically, an example of an aspect of the present invention isthe configuring of the periphery of one or more layers of microwaveinteractive material, which is for becoming hot when exposed tomicrowave energy, in a manner that seeks to advantageously controlheating, so that the periphery of the microwave interactive material cantypically safely be adjacent the periphery of a turntable tray.

In accordance with an example of the present invention, a construct(e.g., a susceptor, or a bottom panel of a construct such as a tray, boxor the like) is provided for overlying a surface in a microwave ovenwhile supporting food being cooked in the microwave oven. The constructcan include first and second areas of microwave interactive materialthat are mounted to a support layer. Each of the first and second areasof microwave interactive material is operative for becoming hot whenexposed to microwave energy. The support layer includes a periphery, andthe second area of microwave interactive material is positioned betweenthe first area of microwave interactive material and at least a portionof the periphery of the support layer. Per unit area, the first area ofmicrowave interactive material (e.g., a relatively continuous layer(e.g., substantially continuous layer) of microwave interactivematerial) is more absorbent of microwave energy than the second area ofmicrowave interactive material (e.g., a relatively discontinuous layer(e.g., patterned layer) of microwave interactive material). Thisadvantageously seeks to control thermally induced stress, such as inturntable trays in microwave ovens. The second area of microwaveinteractive material can extend at least partially around, or at leastabout a third of the way around, or at least about half of the wayaround, or at least about two thirds of the way around, or at leastabout three fourths of the way around, or even fully around the firstarea of microwave interactive material.

As one example, a suitable microwave interactive material can have anoptical density of less than about 0.5, and/or a thickness of less thanabout 200 angstroms.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a package's bottompanel/susceptor that is upon a turntable tray, in accordance with theprior art;

FIGS. 2A-G schematically and partially illustrates theoretical thermallyinduced stress in differently sized turntable trays, with the stressresulting from the use of the bottom panel/susceptor illustrated in FIG.1;

FIG. 3A is an isolated, schematic top plan view of a bottompanel/susceptor that can be placed upon a disk-shaped tray of aturntable in a microwave oven and shown schematically in a microwaveoven, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B schematically illustrates a construct (e.g., a box) thatincorporates the bottom panel/susceptor of FIG. 3A and contains food, inaccordance with an example of the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bottom panel of FIG.3A, with the cross-section taken along line 3C-3C of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D schematically illustrates a plan view of a portion of a centralregion of a bottom panel/susceptor that includes a patterned layer ofmicrowave interactive material, in accordance with a variation of thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an isolated, schematic top plan view of a bottompanel/susceptor that can be placed upon a disk-shaped tray of aturntable in a microwave oven, in accordance with a second embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is an isolated, schematic top plan view of a bottompanel/susceptor that can be placed upon a disk-shaped tray of aturntable in a microwave oven, in accordance with a third embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is an isolated, schematic top plan view of a bottompanel/susceptor that can be placed upon a disk-shaped tray of aturntable in a microwave oven, in accordance with a fourth embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is an isolated, schematic top plan view of a bottompanel/susceptor that can be placed upon a disk-shaped tray of aturntable in a microwave oven, in accordance with a fifth embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is an isolated, schematic top plan view of a bottompanel/susceptor that can be placed upon a disk-shaped tray of aturntable in a microwave oven, in accordance with a sixth embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is an isolated, schematic top plan view of a bottompanel/susceptor that can be placed upon a disk-shaped tray of aturntable in a microwave oven, in accordance with a seventh embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an isolated, schematic top plan view of a bottompanel/susceptor that can be placed upon a disk-shaped tray of aturntable in a microwave oven, in accordance with an eighth embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 11 schematically and partially illustrates theoretical thermallyinduced stress in a turntable tray, in accordance with an exemplarymethod of using the bottom panel/susceptor of the sixth embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 12 schematically and partially illustrates theoretical thermallyinduced stress in a turntable tray, in accordance with an exemplarymethod of using the bottom panel/susceptor of the seventh embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 13 schematically and partially illustrates theoretical thermallyinduced stress in a turntable tray, in accordance with an exemplarymethod of using the bottom panel/susceptor of the eighth embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 14 is a chart that provides a first comparison between performanceof bottom panels/susceptors in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 15 is a chart that provides a second comparison between performanceof bottom panels/susceptors that are compared in FIG. 14, in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in greater detail to some of the drawings, in which likenumerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, exemplaryembodiments of the present invention are described in the following. Forsome of the like or similar parts of different embodiments, referencenumerals are incremented by one hundred.

First Embodiment

FIG. 3A is a schematic top plan view of a construct or package's bottompanel 120 that can be placed upon a disk-shaped tray of a turntable(e.g., see turntable tray 22 of FIG. 1) in a microwave oven M thatprovides microwave energy E, in accordance with a first embodiment ofthe present invention. The bottom panel 120 is shown in isolation inFIG. 3A. As best understood with reference to FIG. 3B, in some versionsof the first embodiment, the package that includes the bottom panel 120is an open-top tray so that four side panels 121 a-d, or the like,extend upwardly respectively from the four edges of the bottom panel120. In some versions of the first embodiment, the package is a box, sothat not only are there four side panels 121 a-d that extend upwardlyrespectively from the four edges of the bottom panel 120, but there isalso a top panel or lid 122, or the like, for closing the tray-likeportion of the package. As shown in FIG. 3B, the lid 122 is pivotablyconnected by a fold line to the upper edge of the rear side panel 121 a,although many other arrangements are possible. It is also within thescope of the present invention for the bottom panel 120 to serve as aconstruct that does not have structures like the side panels 121 a-d andlid 122 connected thereto. The construct, tray and box that comprise thebottom panel 120 can be made of paperboard or other suitable material,such that the tray and box can be characterized as being cartons thatcan be erected from blanks, and other types of cartons that incorporatethe bottom panel 120 are also within the scope of the present invention.As one alternative example, the construct, tray, box or the like, whichincludes the bottom panel 120, can be molded or otherwise formed frompolymeric material, pulp, or other suitable substances. Food 123 isschematically illustrated in the package of FIG. 3B.

A wide variety of other types of constructs or packages are also withinthe scope of the present invention. For example, susceptors of thepresent invention can be incorporated into flexible packaging andflexible materials for forming packaging, such as, but not limited to,flexible bag-like packages within which popcorn is popped in a microwaveoven, for example MicroFlex Q brand packaging or other packagingmaterial available from Graphic Packaging International (Marietta, Ga.).As one specific example, in a flexible bag-like package for poppingpopcorn, the “bag” typically has multiple plies, and the susceptor istypically sandwiched between plies at one side of the bag (e.g., at thebottom side of the bag), and the susceptors of the present invention canbe used in such an application. As another specific example, MicroFlex Qbrand packaging material includes susceptor material and can be used tomake flexible packaging, and the susceptors of the present invention canbe used in such an application. That is, it is contemplated that thesusceptors of the present invention can at least be used in thoseapplications where it is typical to use conventional susceptors, such asin a wide variety of cartons or other types of containers, includingbags in which popcorn is popped, or the like. As one specific example,for a conventional bag that contains popcorn and includes a conventionalsusceptor for at least partially facilitating heating/popping of thepopcorn, the conventional susceptor can be replaced with a susceptor ofthe present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the overall shape of the bottom panel 120 isa parallelogram, namely a square. In use, the lower surface of thebottom panel 120 can be in opposing face-to-face contact with the uppersurface of a microwave oven's turntable tray. The bottom panel 120includes a circular central region 124 that includes a layer ofmicrowave interactive material 125 (best seen in FIG. 3C). The layer ofmicrowave interactive material 125 is schematically represented bystippling in FIG. 3A. In accordance with the first embodiment of thepresent invention, the microwave interactive material 125 is continuousacross the entire central region 124, and the microwave interactivematerial is operative for becoming hot when exposed to microwave energyof the type that is typically provided by conventional microwave ovens,such as the microwave energy E provided by the microwave oven M. Also inaccordance with the first embodiment, the bottom panel 120 includescorner regions 126 that are completely absent of microwave interactivematerial.

Throughout this Detailed Description section of this disclosure, theabsence of microwave interactive material from a region can, forexample, be the result of the microwave interactive material having beendeactivated in, never deposited in, and/or removed from the region, aswill be discussed in greater detail below. Throughout the DetailedDescription section of this disclosure, in many instances absolute termsare used, but this use of absolute terms should be understood as being“for example”. For example, in some situations it is indicated thatcertain regions are entirely covered (e.g., with the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material or the patterned layer of microwaveinteractive material) or that certain regions are absent of microwaveinteractive material. Nonetheless, and in all regards, it is also withinthe scope of the present invention for there to be some variability. Forexample, where it is mentioned that certain regions are “entirelycovered”, the present invention is also intended to encompass situationswhere there is “substantially entire coverage”. As an additionalexample, when it is mentioned that certain regions are “absent of”microwave interactive material, the present invention is also intendedto encompass situations where there is a “substantial absence of”microwave interactive material.

FIG. 3C is a schematic cross-sectional view of the bottom panel 120,with the cross-section taken along line 3C-3C of FIG. 3A. As shown inFIG. 3C, the central region 124 of the bottom panel 120 includes thecontinuous layer of the microwave interactive material 125 sandwichedbetween an upper support layer 127 and a lower support layer 130. Aswill be discussed in greater detail below, the upper support layer 127can be a substrate (e.g., polymeric film) to which the microwaveinteractive material 125 is initially applied, so that the upper layertogether with the microwave interactive material can be characterized asa susceptor 132. The lower support layer 130 is typically a portion of aconstruct (e.g., tray, box or the like) to which the susceptor 132 isattached, such as through the use of an adhesive material (not shown) orany other suitable means. For example, the lower support layer 130 canbe a polymeric or paperboard panel of a construct. During cooking, thelower surface of the lower support layer 130 is typically upon (e.g., inopposing face-to-face contact with) the turntable in the microwave oven,and the food 123 (FIG. 3B) is typically upon (e.g., in opposingface-to-face contact with) the upper surface of the upper support layer127.

As mentioned above with reference to FIG. 3A, the microwave interactivematerial 125 can be continuous across the entire central region 124 ofthe bottom panel 120. More specifically and as best understood whilealso reviewing FIG. 3C, the entire central region 124 of the lowersupport layer 130 can be entirely covered with the layer of microwaveinteractive material 125 that is operative for becoming hot when exposedto microwave energy of the type that is typically provided byconventional microwave ovens, such as the microwave energy E provided bythe microwave oven M.

As mentioned above with reference to FIG. 3A, the bottom panel 120includes the corner regions 126 that are absent of microwave interactivematerial. More specifically and as best understood while also reviewingFIG. 3C, the upper surface of the lower support layer 130 of the bottompanel 120 includes corner regions 126 that are absent of (e.g., notcovered with) microwave interactive material 125.

As best understood while referring to FIGS. 3A and 3C, FIG. 3A is alsoschematically illustrative of the susceptor 132 (e.g., a susceptorpatch) in isolation (e.g., the support layer 127 of the susceptor 132can, in a plan view, correspond in shape and size to the bottom panel120), although the edges of the support layer 127 of the susceptor willtypically extend at least slightly outwardly beyond the edges of themicrowave interactive material 125 to keep the food 123 (FIG. 3B) fromcontacting the microwave interactive material. Alternatively, othermeasures can be taken to keep the food 123 from contacting the microwaveinteractive material 125, or in some cases it may not be desirable ornecessary to keep the food from contacting the microwave interactivematerial. The support layer 127 of the susceptor 132 includes a circularcentral region 124, which is entirely covered with the continuous layerof microwave interactive material 125, and corner regions 126, which areabsent of microwave interactive material.

Each of the corner regions 126 can be characterized as being associatedwith a beveled (e.g., truncated) corner 128 of the central region 124.That is, the central region 124 can be very generally characterized asbeing in the form of a polygon, more specifically a parallelogram,namely a square, with beveled corners 128. More specifically, thebeveled corners 128 are defined by the peripheral edge of the layer ofmicrowave interactive material 125. In accordance with the firstembodiment of the present invention, the subject “beveling” of thebeveled corners 128 is seen in the plan view of FIG. 3A; in the planview the central region 124 does not include peripheral edges that meetat 90 degrees. For a more detailed discussion of “beveled corners”, forexample see the following discussion of the beveled corners 434 of thefourth embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, each of the beveled corners 128 is arcuate,more specifically each of the beveled corners has a radius of curvature.Each of the centers of curvature of the beveled corners 128 arepositioned in the central region 124. More specifically, all of thebeveled corners 128 share a single center of curvature such that thecentral region 124 is in the form of a circle. In accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention, the single center ofcurvature is located at the center of the bottom panel 120. The beveledcorners 128 can be differently shaped, and when they are circular theyare not required to share the same center of curvature.

As best understood with reference to FIG. 3A and in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention, the lower support layer 130(FIG. 3C) is at least generally polygonal-shaped; therefore, it includesthe corner regions 126, which are at least generally in the form ofcorners, and edges 134, which respectively extend between the cornerregions 126. More specifically in accordance with the first embodiment,the lower support layer 130 is polygonal-shaped, namely square-shaped;therefore, the corner regions 126 are each in the form of right-angledcorners, although differently shaped corner regions are also within thescope of the present invention. So as to advantageously maximize theheat provided by the susceptor 132, the central region 124 (i.e., thelayer of microwave interactive material 125) extends at leastsubstantially all the way to the edges 134 of the lower support layer130. More specifically, the central region 124 (i.e., the microwaveinteractive material 125) extends all the way to the portions of theedges 134 that are intermediate of the corner regions 126. In a firstvariation of the first embodiment, which is identical to the firstembodiment except for variations noted and variations that will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the central region124/the microwave interactive material 125 does not extend all the wayto the edges 134 of the lower support layer 130; nonetheless, it extendsclose enough to the edges 134 (e.g., within about 0.1 inches of theedges 134, or more specifically within about 0.05 inches of the edges134) so that the central region 124 (i.e., the microwave interactivematerial 125) can still be characterized as extending at leastsubstantially all the way to the edges 134 of the lower support layer130.

As best understood with reference to FIG. 3A and in accordance with thefirst embodiment of the present invention, the beveled corners 128(which are defined by the periphery of the central region 124, or whichare more specifically defined by the periphery of the layer of microwaveinteractive material 125) respectively are recessed from portions of thecorner regions 126 of the lower support layer 130 so that the outerportions of the corner regions 126 are absent of the microwaveinteractive material 125. The absence of the microwave interactivematerial 125 from, or alternatively the reduction of the amount ofmicrowave interactive material 125 in, the outer portions of the cornerregions 126 advantageously seeks to control thermally induced stressesin turntable trays, as will be discussed in greater detail below. Thatis and briefly described, it has been determined that it can beadvantageous to at least reduce the rate of heating in the outerportions of the corner regions 126, because doing so can advantageouslylimit the peak thermally induced stress in turntable trays.

Numerous materials may be suitable for use in forming the variousconstructs of the present invention. As mentioned above, the layer ofmicrowave interactive material 125 is operative for becoming hot whenexposed to microwave energy of the type that is typically provided byconventional microwave ovens, such as the microwave energy E provided bythe microwave oven M; therefore, the microwave interactive material 125and at least the components closely associated therewith (e.g., theupper and lower support layers 127, 130) are typically selected so thatthey are resistant to softening, scorching, combusting, or degrading attypical microwave oven heating temperatures, for example, at from about250° F. to about 425° F.

In accordance with one example of the first embodiment of the presentinvention, the susceptor 132 is a laminate of the support layer 127 andthe microwave interactive material 125, with the support layer 127 beinga microwave transparent material (e.g., a polymeric film) and themicrowave interactive material 125 being a thin layer ofelectroconductive material deposited (e.g., by sputter deposition) ontothe support layer 127. More specifically, the microwave interactivematerial 125 is typically applied to the support layer 127 by vacuummetalizing. The microwave interactive material 125 is sufficiently thinto become hot when exposed to microwave energy (e.g., the microwaveinteractive material 125 can be characterized as being operative forconverting microwave energy to heat). The thinness of the microwaveinteractive material 125 reduces the conductivity and the microwavereflectance characteristics of the susceptor 132 as compared toconductive metallic foils. A suitable microwave interactive material 125is a layer of aluminum having a thickness in a range of about 50angstroms to about 200 angstroms, and an optical density in a range ofabout 0.1 through about 0.5. Optical density is derived from thenegative logarithm of the ratio of transmitted light to incident light.High optical density materials generally have a shiny appearance,whereas thinner metallic materials have a flat, opaque appearance. Inaccordance with one aspect, the microwave interactive material 125 has athickness of less than about 200 angstroms. In accordance with oneaspect, the microwave interactive material 125 has a thickness of lessthan about 175 angstroms. In accordance with one aspect, the microwaveinteractive material 125 has a thickness of less than about 150angstroms. In accordance with one aspect, the microwave interactivematerial 125 has a thickness of less than about 125 angstroms. Inaccordance with one aspect, the microwave interactive material 125 has athickness of less than about 100 angstroms. In accordance with oneaspect, the microwave interactive material 125 has a thickness of lessthan about 75 angstroms. In accordance with one aspect, the microwaveinteractive material 125 has an optical density of less than about 0.5.In accordance with one aspect, the microwave interactive material 125has an optical density of less than about 0.4. In accordance with oneaspect, the microwave interactive material 125 has an optical density ofless than about 0.3. In accordance with one aspect, the microwaveinteractive material 125 has an optical density of about 0.2, or less.In accordance with one theoretical example, any of the above-describedthicknesses can exist in combination with any of the above-describedoptical densities.

More generally, the microwave interactive material 125 may be anelectroconductive or semiconductive material, for example, a metal or ametal alloy provided as a metal foil; a vacuum deposited metal or metalalloy; or a metallic ink, an organic ink, an inorganic ink, a metallicpaste, an organic paste, an inorganic paste, or any combination thereof.Examples of metals and metal alloys that may be suitable for use as themicrowave interactive material 125 include, but are not limited to,aluminum, chromium, copper, inconel alloys (nickel-chromium-molybdenumalloy with niobium), iron, magnesium, nickel, stainless steel, tin,titanium, tungsten, and any combination or alloy thereof.

Alternatively, the microwave interactive material 125 may comprise ametal oxide. Examples of metal oxides that may be suitable for use asthe microwave interactive material 125 include, but are not limited to,oxides of aluminum, iron, and tin, used in conjunction with anelectrically conductive material where needed. Another example of ametal oxide that may be suitable for use as the microwave interactivematerial 125 is indium tin oxide (ITO). For example, to form thesusceptor 132, ITO may be sputtered onto the support layer 127, and thesupport layer 127 can be a clear polymeric film or other suitablematerial. The sputtering process typically occurs at a lower temperaturethan the evaporative deposition process used for metal deposition. ITOhas a more uniform crystal structure and, therefore, is clear at mostcoating thicknesses.

Alternatively, the microwave interactive material 125 may comprise asuitable electroconductive, semiconductive, or non-conductive artificialdielectric or ferroelectric material. Artificial dielectrics compriseconductive, subdivided material in a polymeric or other suitable matrixor binder, and may include flakes of an electroconductive metal, forexample, aluminum.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, themicrowave interactive material 125 is at least substantially continuousat and inwardly of the periphery of the central region 124. That is, atand inwardly of the periphery of the central region 124, the microwaveinteractive material 125 extends without substantial breaks orinterruptions. In accordance with a second variation of the firstembodiment, which is identical to the first embodiment except forvariations noted and variations that will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art, the microwave interactive material 125 isdiscontinuous at and/or inwardly of the periphery of the central region124. That is, for the second variation, the microwave interactivematerial 125 is discontinuous at and/or inwardly of the periphery of thecentral region 124, for example, by the microwave interactive material125 including one or more breaks or apertures that transmit microwaveenergy therethrough. The breaks or apertures may be sized and positionedto pass microwave energy to particular areas of the food 123. Thenumber, shape, size, and positioning of such breaks or apertures mayvary for a particular application depending on type of construct beingformed, the food item to be heated therein or thereon, the desireddegree of browning and/or crisping, whether direct exposure to microwaveenergy is needed or desired to attain uniform heating of the food item,the need for regulating the change in temperature of the food itemthrough direct heating, and whether and to what extent there is a needfor venting.

The aperture may be a physical aperture or void in the material used toform the construct, or may be a non-physical “aperture”. A non-physicalaperture may be a portion of the construct that is microwave energyinactive by deactivation or otherwise, or one that is otherwisetransparent to microwave energy. Thus, for example, the aperture may bea portion of the construct formed without a microwave energy activematerial or, alternatively, may be a portion of the construct formedwith a microwave energy active material that has been deactivated. Whileboth physical and non-physical apertures allow the food item to beheated directly by the microwave energy, a physical aperture alsoprovides a venting function to allow steam or other vapors to bereleased from the food item. Examples of suitable susceptors thatinclude non-physical apertures are QWIKWAVE® Focus susceptors availablefrom Graphic Packaging International (Marietta, Ga.).

FIG. 3D schematically illustrates a plan view of a portion of thecentral region 124′ in accordance with one example of the secondvariation of the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3D, themicrowave interactive material is arranged in a pattern, namely a gridpattern; non-stippled areas of the central region 124′ denote areas thatare microwave energy inactive, whereas stippled areas of the centralregion 124′ denote areas that are microwave energy active. That is, FIG.3D schematically illustrates an example of a patterned layer ofmicrowave interactive material (e.g., in which the coverage of themicrowave interactive material is about 44%). The patterned layer ofmicrowave interactive material includes interspersed areas that aresubstantially transparent to microwave energy. In accordance with thesecond variation of the first embodiment, the circular central region124′ is entirely covered with the patterned layer of microwaveinteractive material, and the corner regions (e.g., see the cornerregions 126 shown in FIG. 3) are entirely absent of microwaveinteractive material. Except for its patterned characteristics, thepatterned layer of microwave interactive material (e.g., see FIG. 3D)can be like the above-described microwave interactive material (e.g.,the microwave interactive material 125 shown in FIG. 3C).

As mentioned above with reference, for example, to FIG. 3C, inaccordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, themicrowave interactive material 125 can be supported on a support layer127. The support layer 127 can be a microwave inactive or transparentsubstrate that is used for ease of handling and/or to prevent contactbetween the microwave interactive material 125 and the food 123. Thesupport layer 127 typically comprises an electrical insulator, forexample, a film formed from a polymer or polymeric material. As usedherein the term “polymer” or “polymeric material” includes, but is notlimited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as for example, block, graft,random, and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc. and blends andmodifications thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specificallylimited, the term “polymer” shall include all possible geometricalconfigurations of the molecule. These configurations include, but arenot limited to isotactic, syndiotactic, and random symmetries.

The thickness of the film that can serve as the support layer 127typically may be from about 35 gauge to about 10 mil. In one aspect, thethickness of the film is from about 40 to about 80 gauge. In anotheraspect, the thickness of the film is from about 45 to about 50 gauge. Instill another aspect, the thickness of the film is about 48 gauge.Examples of polymeric films that may be suitable include, but are notlimited to, polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides,polysulfones, polyether ketones, cellophanes, or any combinationthereof. Other non-conducting substrate materials such as paper andpaper laminates, metal oxides, silicates, cellulosics, or anycombination thereof, also may be used for the support layer 127.

In one example, the polymeric film that can serve as the support layer127 comprises polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Polyethyleneterephthalate films are used in commercially available susceptors, forexample, the QWIKWAVE® Focus susceptor and the MICRORITE® susceptor,both available from Graphic Packaging International (Marietta, Ga.).Examples of polyethylene terephthalate films that may be suitable foruse as the substrate include, but are not limited to, MELINEX®,available from DuPont Teijan Films (Hopewell, Va.), SKYROL, availablefrom SKC, Inc. (Covington, Ga.), and BARRIALOX PET, available from TorayFilms (Front Royal, Va.), and QU50 High Barrier Coated PET, availablefrom Toray Films (Front Royal, Va.).

The polymeric film may be selected to impart various properties to themicrowave interactive web, for example, printability, heat resistance,or any other property. As one particular example, the polymeric film maybe selected to provide a water barrier, oxygen barrier, or a combinationthereof. Such barrier film layers may be formed from a polymer filmhaving barrier properties or from any other barrier layer or coating asdesired. Suitable polymer films may include, but are not limited to,ethylene vinyl alcohol, barrier nylon, polyvinylidene chloride, barrierfluoropolymer, nylon 6, nylon 6,6, coextruded nylon 6/EVOH/nylon 6,silicon oxide coated film, barrier polyethylene terephthalate, or anycombination thereof.

One example of a barrier film that may be suitable for use with thepresent invention is CAPRAN® EMBLEM 1200M nylon 6, available fromHoneywell International (Pottsville, Pa.). Another example of a barrierfilm that may be suitable is CAPRAN® OXYSHIELD OBS monoaxially orientedcoextruded nylon 6/ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH)/nylon 6, also availablefrom Honeywell International. Yet another example of a barrier film thatmay be suitable for use with the present invention is DARTEK® N-201nylon 6,6, available from Enhance Packaging Technologies (Webster,N.Y.). Additional examples include BARRIALOX PET, available from TorayFilms (Front Royal, Va.) and QU50 High Barrier Coated PET, availablefrom Toray Films (Front Royal, Va.), referred to above.

Still other barrier films that can serve as the support layer 127include silicon oxide coated films, such as those available fromSheldahl Films (Northfield, Minn.). Thus, in one example, the susceptor132 may have a structure including a film, for example, polyethyleneterephthalate, with a layer of silicon oxide coated onto the film, andITO or other material deposited over the silicon oxide. If needed ordesired, additional layers or coatings may be provided to shield theindividual layers from damage during processing.

The barrier film may have an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of less thanabout 20 cc/m²/day as measured using ASTM D3985. In one aspect, thebarrier film has an OTR of less than about 10 cc/m²/day. In anotheraspect, the barrier film has an OTR of less than about 1 cc/m²/day. Instill another aspect, the barrier film has an OTR of less than about 0.5cc/m²/day. In yet another aspect, the barrier film has an OTR of lessthan about 0.1 cc/m²/day.

The barrier film may have a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of lessthan about 100 g/m²/day as measured using ASTM F1249. In one aspect, thebarrier film has a WVTR of less than about 50 g/m²/day. In anotheraspect, the barrier film has a WVTR of less than about 15 g/m²/day. Inyet another aspect, the barrier film has a WVTR of less than about 1g/m²/day. In still another aspect, the barrier film has a WVTR of lessthan about 0.1 g/m²/day. In a still further aspect, the barrier film hasa WVTR of less than about 0.05 g/m²/day.

The microwave interactive material 125 may be applied to the supportlayer 127 in any suitable manner to form the susceptor 132, and in someinstances, the microwave interactive material is printed on, extrudedonto, sputtered onto, evaporated on, or laminated to the support layer127. The microwave interactive material 125 may be applied to thesupport layer 127 in any pattern, and using any technique, to achievethe desired heating effect of the food item.

As mentioned above, a construct (e.g., bottom panel 120) can include thesusceptor 132 mounted to the support layer 130. The support layer 130typically is a dimensionally stable, microwave energy transparentsupport. In one aspect, all or a portion of the support layer 130 may beformed at least partially from a paperboard material, which may be cutinto a blank prior to use in the construct. For example, the supportlayer 130 may be formed from paperboard having a basis weight of fromabout 60 to about 330 lbs/ream, for example, from about 80 to about 140lbs/ream. The paperboard generally may have a thickness of from about 6to about 30 mils, for example, from about 12 to about 28 mils. In oneparticular example, the paperboard has a thickness of about 12 mils. Anysuitable paperboard may be used, for example, a solid bleached or solidunbleached sulfate board, such as SUS® board, available from GraphicPackaging International.

Alternatively, all or a portion of the support layer 130 may be formedat least partially from a polymeric material, for example, coextrudedpolyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene. Other materials arecontemplated hereby.

Optionally, one or more portions of the various blanks, supports,packages, or other constructs described herein or contemplated herebymay be coated with varnish, clay, or other materials, either alone or incombination. The coating may then be printed over with productadvertising or other information or images. The blanks, supports,packages, or other constructs also may be coated to protect anyinformation printed thereon.

Furthermore, the blanks, supports, packages, or other constructs may becoated with, for example, a moisture and/or oxygen barrier layer, oneither or both sides, such as those described above. Any suitablemoisture and/or oxygen barrier material may be used in accordance withthe present invention. Examples of materials that may be suitableinclude, but are not limited to, polyvinylidene chloride, ethylene vinylalcohol, DuPont DARTEK™ nylon 6,6, and others referred to above.

Alternatively or additionally, any of the blanks, supports, packages, orother constructs of the present invention may be coated or laminatedwith other materials to impart other properties, such as absorbency,repellency, opacity, color, printability, stiffness, or cushioning. Forexample, absorbent susceptors are described in U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/604,637, filed Aug. 25, 2004, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/211,858, to Middleton, et al., titled “AbsorbentMicrowave Interactive Packaging”, filed Aug. 25, 2005, both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Additionally, theblanks, supports, packages, or other constructs may include graphics orindicia printed thereon.

As should be apparent from the foregoing, FIG. 3C is schematic forseveral reasons. For example, FIG. 3A has not been drawn to scale. Asanother example, whereas each of the support layers 127, 130 is shown inFIG. 3C as being a single layer, each can consist of more than one layerof material.

As mentioned above, one feature of the first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is the bottom panel 120/susceptor 132 that include themicrowave interactive material 125, which is operative for becoming hotwhen exposed to microwave energy. It is within the scope of the presentinvention for the items of the present invention to additionally includemicrowave interactive materials that perform functions other thanbecoming hot when exposed to microwave energy, such as microwaveinteractive materials that function primarily to shield a particulararea of the food item from microwave energy to prevent overcookingthereof, and/or microwave interactive materials that function totransmit microwave energy towards or away from a particular area of thefood item.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom panel 220 of a second embodiment of thepresent invention. The first and second embodiments are alike and thebottom panel 220 can be used in the microwave oven M (FIG. 3A) andexposed to microwave energy E (FIG. 3A) as described with respect to thefirst embodiment, except for variations noted and variations that willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In addition to the central region 224 of the upper surface of the lowersupport layer (e.g., see the lower support layer 130 shown in FIG. 3C)of the bottom panel 220 being entirely covered with a continuous layerof microwave interactive material (e.g., see the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material 125 of FIG. 3C), the corner regions 230of the upper surface of the lower support layer of the bottom panel 220are entirely covered with a patterned layer of microwave interactivematerial. The continuous layer of microwave interactive material isschematically represented by the relatively heavy stippling in FIG. 4.The patterned layer of microwave interactive material is schematicallyrepresented by the relatively light stippling in FIG. 4. Per unit area,the patterned layer of microwave interactive material absorbs lessmicrowave energy, and thereby becomes less hot, as compared to thecontinuous layer of microwave interactive material. This advantageouslyseeks to limit the peak thermally induced stress in an associatedturntable tray, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

The patterned layer of microwave interactive material can be like thatillustrated in FIG. 3D, although other patterns are also within thescope of the present invention. Throughout the Detailed Descriptionsection of this disclosure, the patterned layer of microwave interactivematerial can be any pattern that results in there being less microwaveinteractive material per unit area than in the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material, such as, but not limited to, a gridpattern, or patterns provided with Focus Quikwave brand susceptorsavailable from Graphic Packaging International (Marietta, Ga.).

The central region 224 can be very generally characterized as being inthe form of a polygon, more specifically a parallelogram, namely asquare, with beveled corners 228. More specifically, the beveled corners228 are defined by the peripheral edge of the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material. The beveled corners 228 are respectivelyrecessed from outer portions of the corner regions 230.

FIG. 4 is also schematically illustrative of a susceptor in isolation.The support layer (e.g., see the support layer 127 of FIG. 3C) of thesusceptor can, in a plan view, correspond in shape and size to thebottom panel 220. The support layer of the susceptor has a centralregion 224, which is entirely covered with the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material (e.g., see the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material 125 of FIG. 3C), and corner regions 230,which are each entirely covered with the patterned layer of microwaveinteractive material. The patterned layer of microwave interactivematerial can be in the form of a wide variety of different patterns suchas, but not limited to, the grid pattern shown in FIG. 3D.

Both the continuous layer of microwave interactive material, which is inthe central region 224, and the patterned layer of microwave interactivematerial, which is in the corner regions 230, are for absorbingmicrowave energy and thereby becoming hot. However, for a sufficientlylarge unit area, the continuous layer of microwave interactive materialis more absorbent of microwave energy than the patterned layer ofmicrowave interactive material. That is, while the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material and the patterned layer of microwaveinteractive material are exposed to substantially identical conditionsin a microwave oven, for a sufficiently large unit area, the continuouslayer of microwave interactive material will provide more heat than thepatterned layer of microwave interactive material.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom panel 320 of a third embodiment of thepresent invention. The second and third embodiments are alike and thebottom panel 320 can be used in the microwave oven M (FIG. 3A) andexposed to microwave energy E (FIG. 3A) as described with respect to thefirst embodiment, except for variations noted and variations that willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The upper surface of the lower support layer (e.g., see the lowersupport layer 130 shown in FIG. 3C) of the bottom panel 320 includes acircular central region 324 that is entirely covered with a continuouslayer of microwave interactive material (e.g., see the continuous layerof microwave interactive material 125 shown in FIG. 3C). The continuouslayer of microwave interactive material is schematically represented bythe relatively heavy stippling in FIG. 5. The central region 324 issurrounded by a marginal region 332 that extends between the peripheryof the central region 324 and the edges of the bottom panel 320. Morespecifically, the marginal region 332 extends between the periphery ofthe continuous layer of microwave interactive material and the edges ofthe bottom panel 320. The entire marginal region 332 of the uppersurface of the lower support layer of the bottom panel 320 is coveredwith a patterned layer of microwave interactive material. The patternedlayer of microwave interactive material is schematically represented bythe relatively light stippling in FIG. 4. The patterned layer ofmicrowave interactive material can be like that illustrated in FIG. 3D,although other patterns are also within the scope of the presentinvention. Whereas the periphery of the marginal region 332 is shown asbeing in the form of a parallelogram, namely a rectangle and morespecifically a square, the periphery of the marginal region 332 canalternatively be circular or other shapes.

FIG. 5 is also schematically illustrative of a susceptor in isolation.The support layer (e.g., see the support layer 127 of FIG. 3C) of thesusceptor can, in a plan view, correspond in shape and size to thebottom panel 320. The support layer of the susceptor has a centralregion 324, which is entirely covered with the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material (e.g., see the microwave interactivematerial 125 of FIG. 3C), and a marginal region 332, which is entirelycovered with the patterned layer of microwave interactive material. Thepatterned layer of microwave interactive material can be in the form ofa wide variety of different patterns such as, but not limited to, thegrid pattern shown in FIG. 3D.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom panel 420 of a fourth embodiment of thepresent invention. The first and fourth embodiment are alike and thebottom panel 420 can be used in the microwave oven M (FIG. 3A) andexposed to microwave energy E (FIG. 3A) as described with respect to thefirst embodiment, except for variations noted and variations that willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

A central region 425 of the lower support layer (e.g., see the lowersupport layer 130 shown in FIG. 3C) of the bottom panel 420 is entirelycovered with a continuous layer of microwave interactive material (e.g.,see the continuous layer of microwave interactive material 125 shown inFIG. 3C). The continuous layer of microwave interactive material isschematically represented by stippling in FIG. 6. The central region 425(i.e., the continuous layer of microwave interactive material) can becharacterized as being in the form of a polygon, more specifically aparallelogram, namely a square, that is smaller than the overall size ofthe lower support layer of the bottom panel 420 and optionally hasbeveled corners 434. More specifically, the beveled corners 434 aredefined by the peripheral edge of the continuous layer of microwaveinteractive material. The beveled corners 434 are respectively recessedfrom outer portions of corner regions 435 of the lower support layer ofthe bottom panel 420.

The central region 425 is surrounded by a marginal region 436 thatincludes the corner regions 435. The marginal region 436 is absent ofmicrowave interactive material. The central region 425 (i.e., thecontinuous layer of microwave interactive material) includes peripheraledges 438 that respectively extend between the corners 434 of thecentral region. The edges 438 and corners 434 of the central region 435define the inner periphery of the marginal region 436. The edges 440 ofthe lower support layer (e.g., see the lower support layer 130 shown inFIG. 3C) of the bottom panel 420 define the outer periphery of themarginal region 436.

As shown in FIG. 6, the edges 438 of the central region 425 respectivelyextend along the edges 440 of the lower support layer of the bottompanel 420. More specifically, the edges 438 of the central region 425are respectively parallel to (e.g., substantially parallel to), andspaced apart from (e.g., substantially spaced apart from), the edges 440of the lower support layer of the bottom panel 420.

More specifically referring to the beveled corners 434, they are definedby the peripheral edge of the layer of microwave interactive material.In accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, thesubject “beveling” of the beveled corners 434 is seen in the plan viewof FIG. 6; in the plan view the substantially straight peripheral edges438 of the central region 425 do not respectively meet at 90 degreesbecause of the beveled corners 434 being respectively positioned betweenthe substantially straight peripheral edges 438.

FIG. 6 is also schematically illustrative of a susceptor in isolation.The support layer (e.g., see the support layer 127 of FIG. 3C) of thesusceptor can, in a plan view, correspond in shape and size to thebottom panel 420. The support layer of the susceptor has a centralregion 425, which is entirely covered with the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material (e.g., see the microwave interactivematerial 125 of FIG. 3C), and a marginal region 436, which is absent ofmicrowave interactive material.

In accordance with a variation of the fourth embodiment, the centralregion 425 (i.e., the continuous layer of microwave interactivematerial) is in the form of a polygon, more specifically aparallelogram, namely a square, that is smaller than the bottom panel420 and does not include the beveled corners 434.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom panel 520 of a fifth embodiment of thepresent invention. The fourth and fifth embodiments are alike and thebottom panel 520 can be used in the microwave oven M (FIG. 3A) andexposed to microwave energy E (FIG. 3A) as described with respect to thefirst embodiment, except for variations noted and variations that willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In addition to the central region 525 of the upper surface of the lowersupport layer (e.g., see the lower support layer 130 shown in FIG. 3C)of the bottom panel 520 being entirely covered with the continuous layerof microwave interactive material (e.g., see the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material shown in FIG. 3C), the marginal region538 of the upper surface of the lower support layer of the bottom panel520 is entirely covered with a patterned layer of microwave interactivematerial. The continuous layer of microwave interactive material isschematically represented by the relatively heavy stippling in FIG. 7.The patterned layer of microwave interactive material can be asdescribed above, and it is schematically represented by relatively lightstippling in FIG. 7. The beveled corners 534, which are defined byrespective portions of the periphery of the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material, can optionally be included.

FIG. 7 is also schematically illustrative of a susceptor in isolation.The support layer (e.g., see the support layer 127 of FIG. 3C) of thesusceptor can, in a plan view, correspond to the shape of the bottompanel 520. The support layer of the susceptor has a central region 525,which is entirely covered with the continuous layer of microwaveinteractive material, and a marginal region 538, which is entirelycovered with the patterned layer of microwave interactive material. Thebeveled corners 534 can optionally be included.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom panel 620 of a sixth embodiment of thepresent invention. The first and sixth embodiments are alike and thebottom panel 620 can be used in the microwave oven M (FIG. 3A) andexposed to microwave energy E (FIG. 3A) as described with respect to thefirst embodiment, except for variations noted and variations that willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

A central region 640 of the upper surface of the lower support layer(e.g., see the lower support layer 130 shown in FIG. 3C) of the bottompanel 620 is entirely covered with a continuous layer of microwaveinteractive material (e.g., see the layer of microwave interactivematerial 125 shown in FIG. 3C). In addition, the central region 640(i.e., the layer of microwave interactive material) can be characterizedas being in the form of a polygon, more specifically a parallelogram,namely a square, that has beveled corners 642 a, 642 b, 642 c, 642 d.The bottom panel 620 includes corner regions 644 that are absent ofmicrowave interactive material. More specifically, the upper surface ofthe lower support layer of the bottom panel 620 includes corner regions644 that are absent of (e.g., not covered with) microwave interactivematerial. In accordance with the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention, each of the beveled corners 642 a, 642 b, 642 c, 642 d isdefined by a radius of curvature having a center of curvature located atthe center of the bottom panel 620. The center of curvature CC and arepresentative one of the radiuses of curvature RC are schematicallyshown in FIG. 8.

In a first version of the sixth embodiment, the corner regions 644 areabsent of microwave interactive material. Therefore, there is a generalresemblance between the first embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG.1, and the first version of the sixth embodiment. This generalresemblance is discussed in greater detail below.

In a second version of the sixth embodiment, each of the corner regions644 of the upper surface of the lower support layer of the bottom panel620 is entirely covered with a patterned layer of microwave interactivematerial (the patterned layer of microwave interactive material can belike that illustrated in FIG. 3D, although other patterns are alsowithin the scope of the present invention). Therefore, there is ageneral resemblance between the second embodiment, which is illustratedin FIG. 4, and the second version of the sixth embodiment. This generalresemblance is also discussed in greater detail below.

The central region 640 (i.e., the continuous layer of microwaveinteractive material) includes edges 638 a, 638 b, 638 c, 638 d thatrespectively extend between the corners 642 a, 642 b, 642 c, 642 d ofthe central region. The edges 638 a, 638 b, 638 c, 638 d and corners 642a, 642 b, 642 c, 642 d of the central region 640 define the periphery ofthe central region. As shown in FIG. 8, the edges 638 a, 638 b, 638 c,638 d of the central region 640 respectively extend along the edges 646a, 646 b, 646 c, 646 d of the lower support layer of the bottom panel620. More specifically, the edges 638 a, 638 b, 638 c, 638 d of thecentral region 640 are respectively parallel to the edges 646 a, 646 b,646 c, 646 d of the lower support layer of the bottom panel 620. Evenmore specifically, the edges 638 a, 638 b, 638 c, 638 d of the centralregion 640 are respectively vertically aligned with the edges 646 a, 646b, 646 c, 646 d of the lower support layer of the bottom panel 620 in aplan view of the bottom panel 620.

FIG. 8 is also schematically illustrative of a susceptor in isolation.The support layer (e.g., see the support layer 127 of FIG. 3C) of thesusceptor can, in a plan view, correspond in shape and size to thebottom panel 620. The support layer of the susceptor has a centralregion 640, which is entirely covered with the microwave interactivematerial, and corner regions 644. In a first version of the susceptor,the corner regions 644 of the support layer are absent of microwaveinteractive material. In a second version of the susceptor, the cornerregions 644 of the support layer of the susceptor are each entirelycovered with a patterned layer of microwave interactive material. Thepatterned layer of microwave interactive material can be in the form ofa wide variety of different patterns such as, but not limited to, thegrid pattern shown in FIG. 3D.

In accordance with one example of the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention, the susceptor/bottom panel 620 has a length L and a width Wthat are perpendicular to each other, and each is about 180 millimeters.In accordance with other examples of the sixth embodiment, at least oneof the length L and width W are, or both of the length L and width Ware, at least about 140 millimeters, or more specifically at least about150 millimeters, or more specifically at least about 160 millimeters, ormore specifically at least about 170 millimeters, or more specificallyabout 180 millimeters. Other dimensions are also within the scope of thepresent invention. The lengths and widths of the susceptors/bottompanels 120, 220, 320, 420, 520 of the first through fifth embodimentscan respectively be like the length L and width W of thesusceptor/bottom panel 620 of the sixth embodiment.

As mentioned above, each of the beveled corners 642 a, 642 b, 642 c, 642d is defined by a radius of curvature having a center of curvaturelocated at, or about at, the center of the bottom panel 620. The centerof curvature CC and a representative one of the radiuses of curvature RCare schematically shown in FIG. 8. In accordance with the sixthembodiment of the present invention, the radiuses of curvature RC areless than:((0.5 multiplied by the length L)² plus (0.5 multiplied by the widthW)²)^(0.5)Stated in shorter form but mathematically identically, the radiuses ofcurvature RC of the sixth embodiment are less than a First ReferenceValue, where:First Reference Value=(((0.5)(L))²+((0.5)(W))²)^(0.5)where:

L is the length L of the susceptor/bottom panel 620, and

W is the width W of the susceptor/bottom panel 620.

In accordance with various examples of the sixth embodiment, theradiuses of curvature RC can be:

-   -   within a range from at least about half of the length L to less        than the First Reference Value and/or    -   within a range from at least about half of the width W to less        than the First Reference Value and/or    -   within a range of about 70.9% of the First Reference Value to        about 94.5% of the First Reference Value and/or    -   within a range of about 78.7% of the First Reference Value to        about 88.2% of the First Reference Value and/or    -   within a range of about 82.7% of the First Reference Value to        about 86.6% of the First Reference Value.

Other radiuses of curvature and differently located centers of curvatureare also within the scope of the present invention.

The dashed lines in FIG. 8 designate a quadrant of the susceptor/bottompanel 620, as discussed in greater detail below.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom panel 720 of a seventh embodiment of thepresent invention. The sixth and seventh embodiments are alike and thebottom panel 720 can be used in the microwave oven M (FIG. 3A) andexposed to microwave energy E (FIG. 3A) as described with respect to thefirst embodiment, except for variations noted and variations that willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

A central region 746 of the upper surface of the lower support layer(e.g., see the lower support layer 130 shown in FIG. 3C) of the bottompanel 720 is entirely covered with a continuous layer of microwaveinteractive material (e.g., see the layer of microwave interactivematerial 125 shown in FIG. 3C). In addition, the central region 746(i.e., the layer of microwave interactive material) can be characterizedas being in the form of a polygon, more specifically a parallelogram,namely a square, that has beveled corners 748. The bottom panel 720includes the corner regions 750 that are absent of microwave interactivematerial. More specifically, the upper surface of the lower supportlayer of the bottom panel 720 includes corner regions 750 that areabsent of (e.g., not covered with) microwave interactive material.

In accordance with the seventh embodiment, each of the beveled corners748 is defined by a radius of curvature having a center of curvaturelocated at the center of the quadrant of the bottom panel 720 in whichthe beveled corner is located. As a result, each beveled corner 748 isin the shape of a quarter of a circle. For example, the dashed lines inFIG. 9 designate one of the quadrants of the bottom panel 720, as willbe discussed in greater detail below.

In a first version of the seventh embodiment, each of the corner regions750 is absent of microwave interactive material. In a second version ofthe seventh embodiment, each of the corner regions 750 of the uppersurface of the lower support layer is entirely covered with a patternedlayer of microwave interactive material. The patterned layer ofmicrowave interactive material can be like that illustrated in FIG. 3D,although other patterns are also within the scope of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is also schematically illustrative of a susceptor in isolation.The support layer (e.g., see the support layer 127 of FIG. 3C) of thesusceptor can, in a plan view, correspond in shape and size to thebottom panel 720. The support layer of the susceptor has a centralregion 746, which is entirely covered with the microwave interactivematerial, and corner regions 750. In a first version of the susceptor,the corner regions 750 of the support layer of the susceptor are absentof microwave interactive material. In a second version of the susceptor,the corner regions 750 of the support layer of the susceptor are eachentirely covered with the patterned layer of microwave interactivematerial.

In accordance with one example of the seventh embodiment of the presentinvention, the susceptor/bottom panel 720 has a length L and a width Wthat are perpendicular to each other, and each is about 180 millimeters.In accordance with other examples of the seventh embodiment, at leastone of length L and width W are, or both of the length L and width Ware, at least about 140 millimeters, or more specifically at least about150 millimeters, or more specifically at least about 160 millimeters, ormore specifically at least about 170 millimeters, or more specificallyabout 180 millimeters. Other dimensions are also within the scope of thepresent invention.

As mentioned above, each of the beveled corners 748 is defined by aradius of curvature having a center of curvature located at the centerof the quadrant of the bottom panel 720 in which the beveled corner islocated. As a result, each beveled corner 748 is in the shape of aquarter of a circle. For a representative one of the beveled corners748, the center of curvature CC and radiuses of curvature RC areschematically shown in FIG. 9. In accordance with the seventh embodimentof the present invention the radiuses of curvature RC are less than:((0.25 multiplied by the length L)² plus (0.25 multiplied by the widthW)²)^(0.5).Stated in shorter form but mathematically identically, the radiuses ofcurvature RC of the seventh embodiment are less than a Second ReferenceValue, where:Second Reference Value=(((0.25)(L))²+((0.25)(W))²)^(0.5)where:

L is the length L of the susceptor/bottom panel 720, and

W is the width W of the susceptor/bottom panel 720.

In accordance with various examples of the seventh embodiment, theradiuses of curvature RC can be:

-   -   within a range from at least about a fourth of the length L to        less than the Second Reference Value and/or    -   within a range from at least about a fourth of the width W to        less than the Second Reference Value.

Other radiuses of curvature are also within the scope of the presentinvention. As one example and in accordance with an alternativeembodiment of the present invention, the radiuses of curvature can be ina range from, or about from, any of the values specified for the seventhembodiment to less than the First Reference Value.

Eighth Embodiment

FIG. 10 is illustrative of a bottom panel 820 of an eighth embodiment ofthe present invention. The sixth and eighth embodiments of the presentinvention are alike and the bottom panel 820 can be used in themicrowave oven M (FIG. 3A) and exposed to microwave energy E (FIG. 3A)as described with respect to the first embodiment, except for variationsnoted and variations that will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

A central region 852 of the upper surface of the lower support layer(e.g., see the lower support layer 130 shown in FIG. 3C) of the bottompanel 820 is entirely covered with a continuous layer of microwaveinteractive material (e.g., see the continuous layer of microwaveinteractive material 125 shown in FIG. 3C). The central region 852(i.e., the layer of microwave interactive material) can be characterizedas being in the form of a polygon, more specifically a parallelogram,namely a square, that has diagonal beveled corners 854. The diagonalbeveled corners 854 extend obliquely with respect to the other edgesillustrated in FIG. 10. The lower support layer of the bottom panel 820includes corner regions 856 that are absent of microwave interactivematerial. More specifically, the upper surface of the lower supportlayer of the bottom panel 820 includes corner regions 856 that areabsent of (e.g., not covered with) microwave interactive material.

In a first version of the eighth embodiment, each of the corner regions856 is absent of microwave interactive material. In a second version ofthe eighth embodiment, each of the corner regions 856 of the uppersurface of the lower support layer is entirely covered with a patternedlayer of microwave interactive material. The patterned layer ofmicrowave interactive material can be like that illustrated in FIG. 3D,although other patterns are also within the scope of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is also schematically illustrative of a susceptor in isolation.The support layer (e.g., see the support layer 127 of FIG. 3C) of thesusceptor can, in a plan view, correspond in shape and size to thebottom panel 820. The support layer of the susceptor has a centralregion 852, which is entirely covered with the microwave interactivematerial, and corner regions 856. In a first version of the susceptor,the corner regions 856 are absent of microwave interactive material. Ina second version of the susceptor, the corner regions 856 of the supportlayer of the susceptor are each entirely covered with a patterned layerof microwave interactive material. The patterned layer of microwaveinteractive material can be like that illustrated in FIG. 3D, althoughother patterns are also within the scope of the present invention.

The lengths and widths of the susceptors/bottom panel 820 of the eighthembodiment can respectively be like the length L and width W of thesusceptor/bottom panel 720 of the seventh embodiment. As shown in FIG.10, each corner region 856 is a right triangle that occupies 3.125% ofthe overall area of the susceptor/bottom panel 820. More generally, eachcorner region 856 can be at least about a right triangle that occupiesabout 3.125% of the overall area of the susceptor/bottom panel 820. Evenmore generally, each corner region 856 can occupy anywhere from about2.8% of the overall area of the susceptor/bottom panel 820 to about 3.4%of the overall area of the susceptor/bottom panel 820. Even moregenerally, each corner region 856 can occupy anywhere from about 2.5% ofthe overall area of the susceptor/bottom panel 820 to about 3.75% of theoverall area of the susceptor/bottom panel 820. Even more generally,each corner region 856 can occupy anywhere from about 2.2% of theoverall area of the susceptor/bottom panel 820 to about 4.1% of theoverall area of the susceptor/bottom panel 820. Other percentages arealso within the scope of the present invention.

The dashed lines in FIG. 10 designate a quadrant of the susceptor/bottompanel 820, as discussed in greater detail below.

Exemplary Comparisons and Additional Embodiments

The susceptor of the bottom panel 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 can becharacterized as a baseline susceptor. Solely for the sake ofcomparison, the susceptors of the bottom panels 120, 220, 320, 420, 520,620, 720, 820 respectively illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 4-10 can beconsidered to be the same overall size as, and constructed in the samemanner as, the baseline susceptor of the bottom panel 20 illustrated inFIG. 1, except for having the different arrangements of microwaveinteractive material as discussed above.

Based upon a theoretical comparison between the baseline susceptor ofthe bottom panel 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the susceptors of thebottom panels 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820 respectivelyillustrated in FIGS. 3A and 4-10, it is apparent that the susceptors ofthe bottom panels 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820 have thepotential to decrease the thermally induced stresses in turntable trays.For example and for comparison with FIGS. 2A-G, FIGS. 11-13 areschematic illustrations that respectively show theoretical thermallyinduced stress in quadrants of turntable trays 622, 722, 822 (e.g.,trays that are at least generally round) that respectively have thereonquadrants of the first versions of the susceptors of the bottom panels620, 720, 820 shown in FIGS. 8-10. For each of the FIGS. 11-13, thecontrasting crosshatching is illustrative of theoretical thermallyinduced stress in the respective turntable tray 622, 722, 822 (e.g., seethe legends of FIGS. 2A-G for an understanding of how the contrastingcrosshatching is illustrative of the stress).

As an example of why FIGS. 2A-G and FIGS. 11-13 are theoretical, it isnoted that turntable trays typically include an upturned lip at theirperiphery, and such upturned lips were not taken into consideration whentheoretically calculating the thermally induced stress shown in FIGS.2A-G and FIGS. 11-13. Also, uniform contact between the susceptors andtrays was considered to exist in the theoretical calculations. Theupturned lips can play a significant role in the interaction betweensusceptors, or the like, and associated turntable trays, because when asusceptor is upon an upturned lip there is typically less than uniformcontact between the susceptor and the tray, due to the susceptor beingelevated above a portion of the tray. Susceptors can also be elevated,or partially elevated, above turntable trays by way of other mechanisms,such as by way of elevating mechanisms that are built into theconstructs that contain the susceptor. As one example, it iscontemplated that other microwave energy interactive structures may beused for the elevating, such as, but not limited to, the microwaveenergy interactive insulating materials described in PCT Application No.PCT/US03/03779, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/501,003, and U.S.application Ser. No. 11/314,851, each of which is entirely incorporatedherein by reference. That is and for example, susceptors and otherconstructs of the present invention can be elevated, or at leastpartially elevated, above turntable trays.

FIGS. 11-13 respectively schematically show the locations of thequadrants of the susceptors of the bottom panels 620, 720, 820 upon theturntable trays 622, 722, 822. More specifically, the relatively darklines in FIG. 11 represent the periphery (i.e., the edges 638 andbeveled corner 642) of the continuous layer of microwave interactivematerial in the quadrant of the susceptor of the bottom panel 620.Similarly, the relatively dark lines in FIG. 12 represent the periphery(including the beveled corner 748) of the continuous layer of microwaveinteractive material in the quadrant of the susceptor of the bottompanel 720. Similarly, the relatively dark lines in FIG. 12 represent theperiphery (including the beveled corner 854) of the continuous layer ofmicrowave interactive material in the quadrant of the susceptor of thebottom panel 820. The illustrated thermally induced stresses are theresult of the microwave interactive material of the susceptors of thebottom panels 620, 720, 820 absorbing microwave energy and therebybecoming hot and heating the turntable trays 622, 722, 822,respectively.

Not only do the susceptors illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 4-10 have thepotential to advantageously decrease the thermally induced stresses inturntable trays as compared to the susceptor of the bottom panel 20illustrated in FIG. 1, they can also impact cooking effectiveness. Oneaspect of the present invention relates to balancing the competingfactors of cooking effectiveness and thermally induced stresses inturntable trays; it can be advantageous when designing susceptors toconsider both of the competing effects of cooking effectiveness andthermally induced stresses in turntable trays.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a mechanism forevaluating design changes is a figure of merit (FOM) defined by:

${FOM} = \frac{{Relative}\mspace{14mu}{change}\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{peak}\mspace{14mu}{thermally}\mspace{14mu}{induced}\mspace{14mu}{stress}}{{Relative}\mspace{14mu}{change}\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{surface}\mspace{14mu}{heating}}$A high FOM suggests that a design change has produced a good thermallyinduced stress reduction at little expense to the overall heatingperformance. A low FOM suggests that the susceptor's cookingeffectiveness has been lost for a modest stress reduction benefit. Usingthe FOM, different design concepts can be compared quantitatively.

More specifically and in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention:

${FOM} = \frac{1 - {S_{n}/S_{0}}}{1 - {\sum{A_{n} \cdot {P_{n}/A_{0}} \cdot P_{0}}}}$where:

-   -   S_(o)=Baseline thermally induced stress level    -   A_(n)=Area associated with a specific surface heating rate. (n=0        is the baseline case)    -   S_(n)=Thermally induced stress level with the novel design    -   P_(n)=Heating rate for a particular area

The susceptor of the bottom panel 20 illustrated in FIG. 1 can becharacterized as a baseline susceptor that is 180 millimeters by 180millimeters. In the following, the susceptors of the first versions ofthe bottom panels 620, 720, 820 illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 are consideredto be the same overall size as, and constructed in the same manner as,the baseline susceptor of the bottom panel 20 illustrated in FIG. 1,except for having the different arrangements of microwave interactivematerial as discussed above. The dashed lines in FIG. 1 designate aquadrant of the baseline susceptor of the bottom panel 20. Likewise,dashed lines in FIGS. 8-10 respectively designate quadrants of thesusceptors of the bottom panels 620, 720, 820.

The following table (Table 1) provides a comparison between a quadrantof the baseline susceptor of the bottom panel 20 (FIG. 1) and quadrantsof the susceptors of the first versions of the bottom panels 620, 720,820 (FIGS. 8-10), with each being on one quadrant of a 260 millimeterdiameter glass tray.

TABLE 1 Reduction Susceptor in thermally area per induced Designquadrant (mm²) stress (N/m²) FOM susceptor of bottom panel 20 8100   0%0 (FIG. 1) version 1 of susceptor of bottom 7656 13.5% 2.45 panel 620shown in FIG. 8 version 1 of susceptor of bottom 7659 13.5% 2.45 panel720 shown in FIG. 9 version 1 of susceptor of bottom 7657 12.5% 2.27panel 820 shown in FIG. 10

As apparent from the above table, examples of the present invention canadvantageously reduce thermally induced stress in turntable trayswithout unduly sacrificing susceptor effectiveness. As also apparentfrom the above table and regarding the FOM, version 1 of the susceptorof bottom panel 620 shown in FIG. 8, version 1 of the susceptor ofbottom panel 720 shown in FIG. 9, and version 1 of the susceptor ofbottom panel 820 shown in FIG. 10 each operate sufficiently similarlysuch that, for example, the beveled corners 854 (FIG. 10) can becharacterized as operating as though they at least generally have aradius of curvature, and the corner regions 644, 750 (FIGS. 8 and 9) canbe characterized as being at least generally rectangular (e.g., each ofthe corner regions 644, 750 can be very generally characterized as beinga triangle with a hypotenuse that is not straight (e.g., is curved)).That is and very generally described, the straight beveled corners 854shown in FIG. 10 can be characterized as operating in substantially thesame manner as the rounded beveled corners 642, 748 respectively shownin FIGS. 8 and 9, and the rounded beveled corners 642, 748 respectivelyshown in FIGS. 8 and 9 can be characterized as operating insubstantially the same manner as the straight beveled corners 854.Statements made in this Detailed Description section of this disclosureabout similarities are for purposes of illustration and not for thepurpose of narrowing the scope of the presentation, and they should notbe construed as any sort of suggestion that different embodiments orspecies of the present invention are patentably indistinct.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are charts that provide comparisons between susceptors,in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Generallydescribed, FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate theoretical computations run forthe sixth embodiment of the present invention with varying radii both asthe first version of the sixth embodiment (e.g., a “plain susceptor”with various beveled corners) and the second version of the sixthembodiment (e.g., a “plain susceptor/Focus QUIKWAVE brand susceptorcombination” with various beveled corners).

More specifically, in each of FIGS. 14 and 15, the data pointsrepresented as diamonds are for a First Series of Susceptors (e.g.,“plain susceptors” with various beveled corners). Each susceptor of theFirst Series of Susceptors is 180 millimeters by 180 millimeters, andlike the first version of the susceptor of the bottom panel 620 (FIG. 8)of the sixth embodiment in that any beveled corners (e.g., like thebeveled corners 642 of FIG. 8) are defined by a radius of curvaturehaving a center of curvature located at the center of the susceptor(e.g., at the center of the susceptor of the bottom panel 620). Thedifference between the susceptors of the First Series of Susceptors isthat they each have a different radius of curvature for defining anybeveled corners (e.g., beveled corners 642). For example, the FirstSeries of Susceptors includes:

-   -   a susceptor that is 180 millimeters by 180 millimeters and        otherwise like the first version of the susceptor of the bottom        panel 620 of FIG. 8;    -   a susceptor that is 180 millimeters by 180 millimeters and        otherwise like the baseline susceptor of the bottom panel 20 of        FIG. 1 (i.e., a susceptor that is 180 millimeters by 180        millimeters and otherwise like the first version of the        susceptor of the bottom panel 620 of FIG. 8, except that the        radius of curvature (for defining any beveled corners) is 127        millimeters); and    -   a susceptor that is 180 millimeters by 180 millimeters and        otherwise like the susceptor of the bottom panel 120 of FIG. 3A        (i.e., a susceptor that is 180 millimeters by 180 millimeters        and otherwise like the first version of the susceptor of the        bottom panel 620 of FIG. 8, except that the radius of curvature        (for defining beveled corners) is 90 millimeters).

In each of FIGS. 14 and 15, the data points represented as squares arefor a Second Series of Susceptors (e.g., a “plain susceptor/FocusQUIKWAVE brand susceptor combinations” with various beveled corners).Each susceptor of this series is 180 millimeters by 180 millimeters, andlike the second version of the susceptor of the bottom panel 620 (FIG.8) of the sixth embodiment in that any beveled corners (e.g., like thebeveled corners 642 of FIG. 8) are defined by a radius of curvaturehaving a center of curvature located at the center of the susceptor(e.g., at the center of the susceptor of the bottom panel 620). Thedifference between the susceptors of the Second Series of Susceptors isthat they each have a different radius of curvature for defining anybeveled corners (e.g., beveled corners 642). For example, the SecondSeries of Susceptors includes:

-   -   a susceptor that is 180 millimeters by 180 millimeters and        otherwise like the second version of the susceptor of the bottom        panel 620 of FIG. 8;    -   a susceptor that is 180 millimeters by 180 millimeters and        otherwise like the baseline susceptor of the bottom panel 20 of        FIG. 1 (i.e., a susceptor that is 180 millimeters by 180        millimeters and otherwise like the second version of the        susceptor of the bottom panel 620 of FIG. 8, except that the        radius of curvature (for defining any beveled corners) is 127        millimeters); and    -   a susceptor that is 180 millimeters by 180 millimeters and        otherwise like the susceptor of the bottom panel 220 of FIG. 4        (i.e., a susceptor that is 180 millimeters by 180 millimeters        and otherwise like the second version of the susceptor of the        bottom panel 620 of FIG. 8, except that the radius of curvature        (for defining beveled corners) is 90 millimeters).

As apparent from FIG. 14, as a general rule and for comparablesusceptors, beveling (e.g., rounding) the corners of microwaveinteractive material can reduce thermally induced stress in turntabletrays, and thereby reduce the occurrences of damaging turntable trays(e.g., causing them to fracture). Although FIG. 14 is directed torounding corners of continuous layers of microwave interactive material,it can also be advantageous to similarly bevel (e.g., round) corners ofpatterns of microwave interactive material. Accordingly, alternativeembodiments of the present invention are directed to beveling corners ofpatterns of microwave interactive material, with that bevelingcorresponding to the herein described beveling of corners of continuouslayers of microwave interactive material. As also apparent from FIG. 14,as a general rule and for comparable susceptors, the Second Series ofSusceptors provides a lesser reduction in thermally induced stress thanthe First Series of Susceptors.

As apparent from FIG. 15, the Second Series of Susceptors issubstantially more effective for cooking than the First Series ofSusceptors, as indicated by the higher FOMs. Also apparent from FIG. 15,there is an optimum effectiveness (i.e. where the FOM is at a maximum),and for the embodiments illustrated by FIG. 15 the optimum effectivenesslies within a range of a radius of curvature of about 105 millimeters toa radius of curvature of about 110 millimeters. More generally, for theembodiments illustrated by FIG. 15 the optimum effectiveness lies withina range of a radius of curvature of about 99 millimeters to a radius ofcurvature of about 112 millimeters.

Whereas 260 millimeter diameter glass turntable trays and susceptorsthat are 180 millimeters by 180 millimeters are mentioned in theforegoing, a wide variety of different sizes are within the scope of thepresent invention. For example, it is typical for turntable trays to beas small as 9.5 inches and as large as 16.5 inches, and they can be avariety of sizes in between. Also, it is expected that differently sizedturntable trays will be developed in the future, and such differentlysized turntable trays are also within the scope of the presentinvention. In particular and as one example, it is expected that smallermicrowave ovens with smaller turntable trays will be commercialized inthe future.

The above-discussed turntable trays can be conventional, and constructedof material such as Pyrex brand glass. It is believed that someconventional turntable trays, which are suitable for use in accordancewith the present invention, may have a tensile strength of about 7×10⁶N/m², or the like. Turntable trays made of glass typically have noplastic deformation; therefore, they will typically break, rather thandeform, if the tensile strength is exceeded. Nonetheless, the susceptorsand other constructs of the present invention can operate advantageouslywith a variety of different turntable trays, with different tensilestrengths and other different characteristics. As at least generallymentioned above, one aspect of the present invention pertains toconfiguring layer(s) of microwave interactive material that cover aturntable tray in a microwave oven so that, with the microwave ovenproviding a typical amount of microwave energy for heating and/orcooking food within the microwave oven, thermally induced stress in theturntable tray is less than the tensile strength of the turntable tray.More specifically, it may be desirable for the layer(s) of microwaveinteractive material to be configured so that the thermally inducedstress in the turntable tray is less than a percentage of the tensilestrength of the turntable tray, with the percentage being about 98%,about 95%, about 90%, about 80%, or about 70% or less.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that while the presentinvention has been discussed above with reference to exemplaryembodiments, various additions, modifications and changes can be madethereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A construct for heating a food item in amicrowave oven having a turntable tray, the construct comprising: abottom panel for being disposed on the turntable tray and inface-to-face contact with the turntable tray, the bottom panelcomprising a support layer, a first outer edge, and a second outer edge,each of the first outer edge and the second outer edge extending from acommon outer corner; a susceptor disposed on the support layer andcomprising a layer of microwave interactive material that is operativefor becoming hot when exposed to microwave energy, the layer ofmicrowave interactive material at least partially defining a centralregion of the bottom panel, the central region comprising a first inneredge and a second inner edge each extending from a common beveled cornerthat is recessed from the outer corner, the first inner edge and thesecond inner edge being substantially parallel to the respective firstouter edge and second outer edge; and a marginal region of the supportlayer at least partially extending between the first outer edge and thefirst inner edge and between the second outer edge and the second inneredge; wherein an outer periphery of the bottom panel and an innerperiphery of the central region are substantially the same shape.
 2. Theconstruct of claim 1, wherein the marginal region comprises a cornerregion extending at least partially between the outer corner and thebeveled corner.
 3. The construct of claim 1, wherein the layer ofmicrowave interactive material of the susceptor comprises a continuouslayer of microwave interactive material mounted on the support layer ofthe bottom panel.
 4. The construct of claim 1, wherein each of the firstinner edge and the second inner edge is spaced apart from the respectivefirst outer edge and second outer edge to form the marginal region ofthe support layer.
 5. The construct of claim 1, wherein the bottom panelcomprises a plurality of outer corners, the central region comprises aplurality of beveled corners, and each beveled corner of the pluralityof beveled corners is generally aligned with and recessed from therespective outer corners of the plurality of outer corners.
 6. Theconstruct of claim 5, wherein the marginal region extends around aperiphery of the central region.
 7. The construct of claim 5, whereinthe plurality of outer corners comprises at least four outer corners,and the plurality of beveled corners comprises at least four beveledcorners.
 8. The construct of claim 1, wherein: the outer corner is afirst outer corner, and the beveled corner is a first beveled corner;the bottom panel comprises a third outer edge and a fourth outer edge,the second outer edge and the third outer edge extending from a commonsecond outer corner, and the third outer edge and the fourth outer edgeextending from a common third outer corner; and the central regioncomprises a third inner edge and a fourth inner edge, the second inneredge and the third inner edge extending from a common second beveledcorner that is recessed from the second outer corner, and the thirdinner edge and the fourth inner edge extending from a common thirdbeveled corner that is recessed from the third outer corner.
 9. Theconstruct of claim 8, wherein the fourth outer edge and the first outeredge extend from a common fourth outer corner, and the fourth inner edgeand the first inner edge extend from a common fourth inner corner thatis recessed from the fourth outer corner.
 10. The construct of claim 8,wherein the third inner edge and the fourth inner edge are substantiallyparallel to the respective third outer edge and fourth outer edge. 11.The construct of claim 10, wherein each of the first inner edge, thesecond inner edge, the third inner edge, and the fourth inner edge issubstantially equidistant from the respective first outer edge, secondouter edge, third outer edge, and fourth outer edge.
 12. The constructof claim 1, wherein the layer of microwave interactive materialcomprises interspersed areas that are substantially transparent tomicrowave energy.
 13. The construct of claim 1, wherein the beveledcorner is curved.
 14. The construct of claim 1, wherein: the layer ofmicrowave interactive material is a first layer of microwave interactivematerial; the susceptor further comprises a second layer of microwaveinteractive material that is operative for becoming hot when exposed tomicrowave energy; and the second layer of microwave interactive materialis disposed on the marginal region of the support layer.
 15. Theconstruct of claim 14, wherein per unit area, the first layer ofmicrowave interactive material is more absorbent of microwave energythan the second layer of microwave interactive material.
 16. Theconstruct of claim 1, wherein the marginal region is free from microwaveinteractive material.
 17. The construct of claim 1, wherein the bottompanel has a planar configuration.
 18. A method of heating a food item ina microwave oven having a turntable tray, the method comprising:obtaining a construct comprising a bottom panel, the bottom panelcomprising a support layer, a first outer edge, and a second outer edge,each of the first outer edge and the second outer edge extending from acommon outer corner, a susceptor disposed on the support layer andcomprising a layer of microwave interactive material that at leastpartially defines a central region of the bottom panel, the centralregion comprising a first inner edge and a second inner edge eachextending from a common beveled corner that is recessed from the outercorner, the first inner edge and the second inner edge beingsubstantially parallel to the respective first outer edge and secondouter edge, and a marginal region of the support layer at leastpartially extending between the first outer edge and the first inneredge and between the second outer edge and the second inner edge,wherein an outer periphery of the bottom panel and an inner periphery ofthe central region are substantially the same shape; positioning thefood item on at least the central region of the bottom panel;positioning the bottom panel on the turntable tray in face-to-facecontact with the turntable tray; and operating the microwave oven toexpose at least the layer of microwave interactive material to microwaveenergy, causing the layer of microwave interactive material to becomeheated.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the marginal regioncomprises a corner region extending at least partially between the outercorner and the beveled corner.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein thelayer of microwave interactive material of the susceptor comprises acontinuous layer of microwave interactive material mounted on thesupport layer of the bottom panel.
 21. The method of claim 18, whereineach of the first inner edge and the second inner edge is spaced apartfrom the respective first outer edge and second outer edge to form themarginal region of the support layer.
 22. The method of claim 18,wherein the bottom panel comprises a plurality of outer corners, thecentral region comprises a plurality of beveled corners, and eachbeveled corner of the plurality of beveled corners is generally alignedwith and recessed from the respective outer corners of the plurality ofouter corners.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the marginal regionextends around a periphery of the central region.
 24. The method ofclaim 22, wherein the plurality of outer corners comprises at least fourouter corners, and the plurality of beveled corners comprises at leastfour beveled corners.
 25. The method of claim 18, wherein: the outercorner is a first outer corner, and the beveled corner is a firstbeveled corner; the bottom panel comprises a third outer edge and afourth outer edge, the second outer edge and the third outer edgeextending from a common second outer corner, and the third outer edgeand the fourth outer edge extending from a common third outer corner;and the central region comprises a third inner edge and a fourth inneredge, the second inner edge and the third inner edge extending from acommon second beveled corner that is recessed from the second outercorner, and the third inner edge and the fourth inner edge extendingfrom a common third beveled corner that is recessed from the third outercorner.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the fourth outer edge andthe first outer edge extend from a common fourth outer corner, and thefourth inner edge and the first inner edge extend from a common fourthinner corner that is recessed from the fourth outer corner.
 27. Themethod of claim 25, wherein the third inner edge and the fourth inneredge are substantially parallel to the respective third outer edge andfourth outer edge.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein each of the firstinner edge, the second inner edge, the third inner edge, and the fourthinner edge is substantially equidistant from the respective first outeredge, second outer edge, third outer edge, and fourth outer edge. 29.The method of claim 18, wherein the layer of microwave interactivematerial comprises interspersed areas that are substantially transparentto microwave energy.
 30. The method of claim 18, wherein the beveledcorner is curved.
 31. The method of claim 18, wherein: the layer ofmicrowave interactive material is a first layer of microwave interactivematerial; the susceptor further comprises a second layer of microwaveinteractive material disposed on the marginal region of the supportlayer; and the operating the microwave oven further exposes the secondlayer of microwave interactive material to microwave energy, causing thesecond layer of microwave interactive material to become heated.
 32. Themethod of claim 31, wherein per unit area, the first layer of microwaveinteractive material is more absorbent of microwave energy than thesecond layer of microwave interactive material.
 33. The method of claim18, wherein the marginal region is free from microwave interactivematerial.
 34. The method of claim 18, wherein the bottom panel has aplanar configuration.